‘Punjab forgotten’: CM Bhagwant Mann alleges ‘step-motherly treatment’ in Union Budget 2026; opposition too slams Centre

CHANDIGARH: The Union Budget has ignited a political backlash in Punjab, as the agrarian border state found itself absent from finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman's speech. The omission comes when the state is roughly a year away from its 2027 assembly elections.While Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visiting Jalandhar's Dera Sachkhand Ballan on the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas, insisted the Union Budget would boost Punjab's textiles and food processing sectors, local leaders across the political spectrum are calling it a "betrayal". Chief minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Centre of persistent "step-motherly treatment." "Once again, the Union govt's budget failed to live up to Punjab's expectations. There is no assurance of MSP for farmers, no concrete plan for employment for the youth, and no relief for industry or taxation. Not a single solid step was taken to strengthen Punjab's economy. As always, Punjab and Punjabis were subjected to step-motherly treatment. Despite this neglect, the people of Punjab remain hardworking and resilient. United, we will rebuild Punjab and put it back firmly on its feet," the CM posted on X Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema echoed these sentiments, pointing out that while the budget mentioned high-value crops like sandalwood and cashew, it offered "nothing for north Indian farmers". Punjab had sought a special package, citing losses due to floods and the brunt state bore due to heightened confrontation between India and Pakistan last year. The border state, according to Cheema, also demanded Rs 1,000 crore for police modernisation. The Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) were equally scathing. Leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa declared that Punjab had been "completely forgotten" after 12 years of BJP rule. "Big words changed, ground reality unchanged—‘reforms' that never arrive. 12 years of @BJP4India in power, and not a single answer for Punjab. No vision, no will— not even slogans left to defend this neglect," Bajwa posted on X. Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring criticised the PM for visiting the state to celebrate Guru Ravidas birth anniversary while failing to allocate funds for an international university in the saint's name. Harsimrat Kaur Badal of SAD highlighted the ecological damage Punjab has suffered to ensure national food security, saying that the Union Budget failed to compensate for depleting water resources or the economic loss caused by the closure of the Attari trade post. She posted on X, "Punjabis expected that a financial provision would be made to make MSP a legal guarantee in Union Budget but their hopes have been belied." SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal directed his ire towards the state govt. He argued that the "zero gains" were a result of CM Bhagwant Mann's inability to advocate effectively for the state's rights. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, on the other hand, termed the Union Budget as "a milestone towards realising the resolve of making India a developed nation." Jakhar said, "The announcements made for the sports industry and MSMEs will greatly benefit Punjab's industrial sector." He further said that under the policy of cooperative federalism, an allocation of Rs 1.4 lakh crore has been announced for states for development, as per the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, which will ensure holistic development across the country.Terming the budget as a "visionary, pro-people and growth-oriented budget", Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma said, "The enhanced allocation for agriculture, MSP assurance, rural infrastructure and agri-startups will directly benefit Punjab's farming community and promote sustainable agriculture."